Abstract: The Agua Tibia Mountains, located at the northern end of the Palomar Range, have historically been the site for very little botanical research when compared with other units of the Peninsular Ranges, such as the Santa Ana Mountains. This study reported the results of a floristic survey of the mountains that was conducted over a four-year period, from September 1994 through May 1999. This study area encompassed the drainage system of Agua Tibia Mountain and is topographically and geologically diverse. A complex mosaic of herbaceous, shrub- and tree-dominated vegetation was found in range. Vascular plant taxa reported for the mountains totaled 954, including 756 considered native and 198 considered nonnative. Among these were sensitive plant taxa. range extensions, and disjunct taxa that created a rich diversity of plant species and revealed important insights into the phytogeographic history of mountains.

Summary: This manual focuses on the seed processing steps that precede - and are necessary for - successful propagation and long-term seed storage. It targets California native plants and plants native to northern Baja California, Mexico, but the general techniques are applicable also to other physiologically or taxonomically related species. High quality, local-source germplasm collections are a critical resource for restoration, conservation, and the stewardship of natural biological communities, and this publication was developed specifically for those working in these fields. The manual is divided into six main sections: (1) seed processing techniques, (2) seed cleaning procedures, (3) illustrations of fruit types, (4) a glossary of technical terminology, (5) literature sources and reviewers, and (6) a two-part appendix that facilitates cross-referencing between plant common name, scientific name, and family. Color photographs provide concise and informative views of seed processing equipment and activities, and of the seeds themselves as seen under a light microscope. The information contained in the seed cleaning procedures augments the photographic images with nuggets of wisdom that only years of seed processing experience can furnish. Helpful hints are provided on fruit types, threshing, winnowing, viability and quality assessments, dealing with static electricity, and bulk cleaning. The most detailed of the sections highlights processing procedures for seeds of 450 plant species in 71 families. Species are organized alphabetically by genus and species, arranged in groups of three species per page on 148 pages. Instructions under each species are set out in a uniform format that features a high-quality color photograph of the processed seeds flanked by a text panel indicating common and scientific name, fruit type, seed size, shape, and surface texture, followed by a paragraph describing the cleaning methodology. The latter gives information on blower speed, sieves, screens, seed variation, and a difficulty rating that translates into the approximate cleaning time required. Specialized terms in the panels are highlighted in green to indicate that they are featured in the glossary of technical terminology.

Summary: This CD manual focuses on the seed processing steps that precede - and are necessary for - successful propagation and long-term seed storage. It targets California native plants and plants native to northern Baja California, Mexico, but the general techniques are applicable also to other physiologically or taxonomically related species. Color photographs provide concise and informative views of seed processing equipment and activities, and of the seeds themselves as seen under a light microscope.